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With a population of only 10.5 million
it's surprising that, over the years, Hungary has had such a high level of success in
major sporting competitions. At the Olympics especially, the nation often achieves a
respectable tally of medals in disciplines such as football, fencing, gymnastics, water
polo and swimming.
Back home, major athletics meetings and football matches are held at
the Puskás Ferenc Stadion (formerly the Népstadion) - Budapest's 68,000 all seater arena
- while indoor events will take place at the nearby Budapest Arena (a purpose built,
futuristic looking venue, that replaces the old fire damaged Sportcsarnok).
Football (Soccer) in Budapest
The most popular spectator sport is football, with
Budapest providing most of the nation's popular teams. The standard of domestic football is
moderate, while the international team failed (yet again) to reach the Euro 2004
Championships in Portugal.
Sadly, Hungary hasn't really had a world class team since the golden
team (aranycsapat) of the 1950s, which many hold to be the greatest footballing side ever.
The team's domination of the world stage at this time, through players such as Ferenc Puskás,
Jószef Boszik, Sándor Kocsis and Nándor Hidegkuti was most famously demonstrated in a
friendly match against England on a cold November afternoon in 1953.
The home side, who had previously joked about Puskás being a couple
of stones overweight ("who's that fat little fellow?") knew they had a match on
their hands when, during the warm-up, the Hungarians began volleying the ball to each
other continuously from opposite sides of the pitch. The final scoreline of 6-3 to Hungary
(which flattered England) saw Hidegkuti help himself to a hat-trick.
The following year, as a prelude to the World Cup in Switzerland, a
return friendly in Budapest was marked by a similar scoreline, this time 7-1 to Hungary.
With Puskás's team now seemingly unbeatable, they waltzed through the early stages of the
World Cup to play Germany in the final. Although in qualifying, they had trounced a
deliberately under strength German side (and despite going 2-0 up early on in the final)
the combination of a change in tactics by their opponents and an injured Puskás saw
Hungary lose 3-2. Older locals of course still claim that the team was robbed (a
thunderous last minute equalizer by Puskás was disallowed for offside) although the sad
reality is that the match marked the beginning of the end for Hungary's global supremacy.
Less than two years later, the players who had made up the team dispersed to the four
winds after the Soviets invaded in 1956, with both Puskás and Kocsis (nicknamed "the
man with the golden head") staying in the west.
While today's Hungarian teams aren't even on the same planet in
footballing terms (with many top players being arrogant, lazy and unable to fathom the
concept of a tackle), a trip to a match in Budapest can still be good fun. It's certainly
cheap compared to western prices and although there's some hooliganism (particularly
centred around Ferencváros the most popular team), thugs are hardly on a par with those
in Germany, Holland or the UK. Budapest's most popular local teams are:
IX. Üllöi út 129, Tel: 215 6025, Fax: 215 3698, Website: www.ftc.hu, Capacity 18,000, Colours: green
and white, Metro: M3 Népliget
Once Hungary's biggest and most successful club. "Fradi" as they are affectionately
known, have hit upon hard times of late being relegated from the top flight in 2006/2007
owing to financial difficulties.
Despite an unsuccessful attempt this season to regain its rightful
status among the country's elite teams, the club's purchase by Sheffield United's Kevin
McCabe should see a reversal of the club's fortunes both on and off the pitch, with a
promised new stadium for Ferencváros
in the pipeline.
With the most ardent fan base in Budapest, matches against local rivals
Honvéd inevitably provide the best fixture of the season. When they do play, be warned
that wearing red in the home end is
not a bright idea!
XIX Újtemető utca 1-3, Capacity 15,000 (5000 seated), Colours: red
and black, Metro: M2 Határ út then tram 42 to
the end of the line
Not surprising really that Honvéd's prodigal son Ferenc Puskás is still hero worshipped
here by those old enough to remember his wizardry during the 1950s. Occasionally he
attends on match days, although what he must think of this famous old army side's current
team is anyone's guess.
MTK Hungária FC
VIII, Salgótarjáni út 12-14, Tel: 333 8368, Fax: 303 0592,
Website: www.mtkhungaria.hu,
Capacity: 12,700, (5000 seated), Colours: white and blue, Metro: M2
Népstadion then trolleybus 75 or tram 1
Playing at the Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion (named after the famous Hungarian forward who
played in the "aranycsapat" of 1954) MTK have seen a resurgence of late, now
overtaking both Kispest and
Újpest as Budapest's second best team.
IV. Megyeri út 13, Website: www.ujpestfc.hu, Capacity 32,000 (12,000 seated), Colours: white with
purple trim, Metro: M3 Újpest Központ then
Bus 104 or 96 to Megyeri út
Not the force they once were during the 1930s, these days Újpest play second fiddle to
Ferencváros. Mention András Töröcsik (their finest ever player) in glowing terms
though and you'll be guaranteed a few pints after the final whistle.
Water Sports
With the benefit of Lake Balaton and a Strand or Fürdő in most
towns, you'd expect Hungarians to love water sports. Swimming, waterpolo and canoeing are
all very popular in Hungary, with swimming baths also being a major social meeting place
for people. Best of all, most are family-oriented with good facilities and cheap entrance
prices:
Alfréd Hajós Swimming Complex (Nemzeti Sportuszoda)
XII Margaret Island, Tram 4/6 the bus 26, Open 6am-6pm Mon-Fri, 6am-7pm
Sat/Sun. See Margaret Island
Gellért Baths
XI Kelenhegyi út 4, Trams 18, 19, 47 to Gellért tér, Open 6am-7pm
daily. See Gellért Baths in our sightseeing
section.
Palatinus Strand
XII Margaret Island, Tram 4/6 the bus 26, Open May-mid September
A massive sprawling complex on the Margaret Island which becomes unbelievably busy during the
summer. See Margaret Island
XIV. állakerti körút 11, Metro: M1 Széchenyi fürdő, Open 6am-7pm daily
See Széchenyi Baths in our sightseeing
section.
Hungarian Formula One (F1) Grand Prix
The Hungarian grand prix is held each August at the Hungaroring, east
of Budapest at Mogyoród (take the M3 motorway out of Budapest). Having proved to be
extremely popular over the years, the Hungarians are justly proud of hosting such a
prestigious event. Although the race itself isn't in the same league as say San Marino or
Monaco (due to a narrow, slow circuit), the warm weather and excellent facilities make the
Grand Prix a pleasant event to attend. In particular, good natured Finnish fans always
have a great time (they jokingly believe that the Hungarians are distant cousins, see language).
Tickets are not cheap though and can, on occasion, be difficult to obtain. For further
information visit www.hungaroring.hu
(official ticket sales) or www.formula1.hu
(unofficial website).
Other Sports
Basketball and handball
These sports are both popular in Hungary with an enthusiastic and
noisy following. Hungary has had a strong record in major handball tournaments with good
men's and women's teams. The basketball league has attracted sub-NBA standard American
players, though unusually, the strongest teams are not based in the capital. Further
details can be found on the Hungarian basketball Federation's website at: www.hunbasket.hu.
Golf
Golf has only recently begun to take a foothold in Hungary, being
seen as a status symbol by many of the city's new young professionals (who can usually be
found trudging around in the rough or cursing from the bunkers). Hungary's best golf
course is Birdland Golf and Country Club,
located in the spa town of Bük-fürdő (a long way from Budapest) although the Pannonia Golf and Country Club
at Alcsútdoboz lies only 40km west of the city. The Petneháza
Golf Club (driving range) is also worthy of consideration if you just fancy whacking
off a few balls during your Budapest stay. For further details about golf courses in
Hungary visit: www.hungolf.hu or www.golfhungary.hu.
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